Trustees

Bernice Kostick (Chair of Trustees)

My Name is Bernice Kostick. I am recently retired but was the Head Teacher of North Ridge High Specialist Support School since 2007. Prior to this I was a Head Teacher of a special school in Trafford.  I have worked in education since 1983. Most of my career has been as a teacher working in the SEN sector for schools within Manchester City Council.  I have lived in Manchester throughout my life and was educated in Manchester Schools. I have a B. ED degree in Education, M Sc. in Education Management and I was a national leader of education. I strongly believe Greater Manchester Children should have a high-quality education provision and especially children with additional needs.  I am delighted to be a member of the Trust Board for Ambition Community Trust and offer my services in a voluntary capacity.

Rebecca Nadia Dove (Vice Chair)

Nadia  has over 30 years experience working in health services as a manager. After the NHS management training scheme and experience in London hospital  and primary care  she then volunteered  for Voluntary Services Overseas in Cambodia. Following relocating to Manchester and starting a family Nadia has worked in  Greater Manchester in hospitals and health commissioning for the last 18  years.  Her work sees her working across health and social care. Nadia has been a governor at Broomwood Primary School for the last 2 years.  Nadia has experienced first hand the values of a trauma informed way of working in a school. Nadia is passionate about inclusion and integrated working to support the local population.   Nadia has a degree in English and Education from the University of Surrey.

Stephen Carroll

Stephen recently retired as the Business Director of Ace Centre, a national charity supporting people with communication and/or physical disabilities.

He has a finance and IT & HR background and worked for the Ace Centre for 19 years providing support in Assistive Technology as well as managing the business functions.

Stephen Brock

Stephen has over 25 years’ experience working with children, families and communities. He has over 20 years statutory social work experience. Stephen now works as a Social Work Consultant. He is passionate about the work he has done and continues to do, and has been fortunate to have had several valued teachers in life along the way. Stephen obtained a Hons BA in Sociology and Media Information Studies through University of Western Ontario in and Master if Social Work through Wilfrid Laurier University. Prior, Stephen has worked in the area of community development and youth development projects in Canada.

Helen Barker

Worked in homelessness/supported housing/drugs recovery in Oxford from 2001-2005

Qualified as a social worker 2005 and worked in Older Peoples services and Community Mental Health Team in Bicester until 2009

Moved to Manchester in 2009, worked as social worker/AMHP in Early Intervention Service, CMHT, Gateway service before moving into management positions from 2017-2021

Undertook training contract with Irwin Mitchell commencing in Feb 2021. Training included working Court of Protection, Public Law and Human Rights and Medical Negligence departments.

Qualified as a solicitor with Irwin Mitchell in Feb 2023. Now work as a solicitor in the Public Law and Human Rights team in Manchester, specialising in Court of Protection and education work. Recent education work includes EHCP appeals, securing a school place for a girl who had previously been out of school for almost 2 years and a secondary school admissions appeal.

Elaine Horridge

I have been involved in education for 48 years, having gained QTS in 1974. I am passionate about education and improving the life chances for all children. It is essential to have high quality learning and teaching and to constantly seek for new ideas. I understand the importance of creating effective learning environments and a varied and interesting curriculum to increase the learning potential and achievements of pupils.

I have worked in primary schools in Oldham and Tameside.

In 1997 I was appointed as Head teacher at a failing school in Tameside. Rapid changes enabled this school to come out of Special Measures within 18 months.

In 2000 I became Head teacher of an Outstanding primary school in Tameside and in 2013 was asked by Tameside LA to become Executive Head teacher of another school which was facing huge challenges. This school received a Good OFSTED outcome within 12 months.

I retired in 2016. I am now a Governor at 3 schools: Vice Chair of a CE primary school in Oldham, Vice Chair of a VC primary school in Tameside and I am Chair of the Management Committee at Tameside Pupil Referral Service.